About

I started The Dim Sum Diaries here in Hong Kong in 2011 as a tribute to the most important thing in my life (second to friends and family… I suppose), and that is FOOD!

I plan my days around food; I plan my weeks around food; my holiday destinations are planned with food in mind; and if ever I am faced with a disappointing meal, you’ll want to quickly make yourself scarce, as you would not want to witness the wrath that can be sparked by bad food, or indeed lack of food. Ever heard the word “hangry”? As anyone who knows me can attest, make me wait long periods between meals and you’ll know exactly what it means.

Hong Kong is any food lover’s paradise. I think even if I visited a different restaurant every single day for the next 10 years, I still wouldn’t come close to discovering all the amazing gems it has to offer. You can find bowls of steaming noodles for $40 (USD 5), world-renowned Michelin-starred restaurants that will require taking out a small mortgage, and everything in between. There is literally something for everyone here and restaurants serving every cuisine imaginable.

If you’re wondering about the face behind The Dim Sum Diaries and what gives me the right to hark on and on about food, I am just your typical half-English, half-Venezuelan girl, who grew up between England, Hong Kong and South America and ended up marrying an Australian. I have never pretended to be any real authority on food – I simply like to eat it and I like to write about it.

Although the situation has improved somewhat over the past seven years since being back here, one of my pet hates about living in Hong Kong is that so many restaurants don’t have their own websites, let alone online menus, and their only online presence is on those horrible food forums with unappetising photos and grammatical errors galore. I therefore made it my mission, when I started writing this website, to give the people of Hong Kong an honest, detailed account of Hong Kong restaurants, and so that is what I’m here for. I am slowly making my way around our city’s eateries, reviewing one new place before another opens up and that first one shuts down – such is the way in this fast-paced metropolis.

Thanks for reading and, as always, if you have suggestions about where I should review next, please leave your comments below!

Whenever I meet my family to try out a new restaurant, I have always made the Dimsum Diaries my first stop to see which great new spots you have visited as my main point of research. It’s always fun to read your experiences and the number of cool places you find which I would have missed is awesome. A totally invaluable blog!

Hi Sean, thank you so much for your comment. I’m really happy you like the site and that you find it useful. It means a lot to know that I have loyal supporters out there! If you have any suggestions of places to try or need any tips, then please feel free to get in touch. Happy eating! Ale

Hi Ale,
I was searching for Mavericks and here comes your blog. Enjoyed reading your blog and definitely will try the restaurants you’ve been to. Already have a few in mind after reading your comments.
See you at the practice at some stage.

I’m Dianne Sibal from a local food and travel show from Manila, Philippines. We are visiting HK soon to film two episodes of our program there, and we would love to guest you in one of the features. Would it be possible to get your email address so we can share more details with you?

Hi Ale,
Nice to meet you! I’m a foodie myself but by day I’m a PR consultant. I’d love to invite you to food-related events that my clients are having soon. If you’re interested, could you let me know the best email address to reach you? There’s also a Grand Opening at Maya Cafe in Central if you’re able to join (apologies for the last minute invite) this Saturday, October 24th from 1-4pm if you are able to join.

Looking forward to hearing from you and keep sharing your food adventures!

As a foodie and someone who religiously follows your blog, I recently opened a restaurant in Causeway Bay called Maizuru (舞鶴) which specialises in omakase style dinner and authentic Japanese lunch sets with ingredients flown straight from Japan. Would be great if you could pop by for a try when available. Please email me at hkmaizuru@gmail.com or go to our openrice page (http://www.openrice.com/en/hongkong/restaurant/causeway-bay-maizuru/472604) or check out our IG page at (https://www.instagram.com/hkmaizuru/) if you need address/contact details or want to take a look at what people have eaten. Thanks and look forward to hearing from you soon.

Hello Ale,
I really love your food blog, i think it s really inspiring. I have created my own food blog after years reading yours
I feel so bad, you are relocated in London.
I hope we can have chance to be in town time to time and continue to write about Hong Kong food scene
Benoit

Fantastic Blog makes planning the short business trip to HK that much easier. I only have 5 nights and it seems that there is so much to taste and try. How am I ever going to fit it all in. With your help so far I have got my must try places down from 25 to 15 HELP. Not enough time

Thanks for your comment, Phil! I’m glad to hear that I was able to be of some assistance. I am the most indecisive person and find narrowing down choices, especially when it comes to food, mightily difficult, but let me know what sort of cuisine/atmosphere/price range you’re after and I’ll see what I can suggest. Otherwise you might just have to have five meals a day! It is possible…